Draft
Round
-

Sutton, Marshall ‘have each others backs no matter what’

CALGARY — It’s been a whirlwind year for Hamilton Tiger-Cats running back Tyrell Sutton. After finding himself without a job at the beginning of the season, he’s become a trusted contributor for a team that finished with the best record in the CFL in 2019.

After missing out on the Eastern Final a week ago, the 32-year-old will be back as the starter in the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw, heach coach Orlondo Steinauer announced on Friday.

“I’m ready to go. All I can do is give it one last go and give it everything I’ve got,” Sutton said. “One time in 11 years, I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied.

“We’re going to go out here and get this win and do what we’ve been doing all year.”


MORE GREY CUP COVERAGE 

» Tyrell Sutton to start at tailback in Grey Cup
» O’Leary: 5 storylines to follow at 107GC
» Landry: Ticats’ rising star pivot separating body and mind


 

The Tiger-Cats have gone through some turnover in the backfield this season. Sean Thomas Erlington was the starter to open the season, but a knee injury forced him to miss the majority of the year. Hamilton has cycled through Cameron Marshall, Maleek Irons, Jackson Bennett, and at times receivers Anthony Coombs and Bralon Addison.

The team was finally able to land Sutton, who was released by the rival Argos ahead of the start of the season. He was inked to the practice roster but was immediately brought up to help the Tabbies’ run game.

Sutton was able to make his mark in just four games at the tail end of the season with Hamilton, rumbling for 203 yards on 35 carries over that span. In Weeks 17 and 19, he had back-to-back 80-plus yard rushing outings.

He sat the team’s season finale against the Toronto Argonauts and was also absent from the lineup for the Eastern Final.

“Well, there’s things behind closed doors, that’s why we went with Cam last week,” Steinauer said of his decision to sit Sutton. “Everyone in the backfield, suited or not, is super supportive of each other and I think you get that feel when you talk to them.”

Marshall assumed the starting job against Edmonton, rushing for 31 yards on nine carries while adding 25 yards and hauling in each of the passes thrown his way.

Despite Marshall’s use as the backup in the championship game, Sutton knows that they’ll continue to grind in the same fashion they have the entire season.

“Cam did a fantastic job last game of getting his number called when he did,” Sutton said. “Either way, if it was me up, Cam’s getting me ready either way, and if it’s him, I’m getting him ready. It was just how the dice fell. He understands that it was hard for me last week and I understand exactly how hard it is for him this week.

 

“We’re brothers and we’ve got each other’s backs no matter what.”

Now, the Ticats head into the Grey Cup with their No. 1 back. However, they have a great backup option in Marshall that could be used to give the Winnipeg defence different looks. The pair of veterans haven’t had the chance to play together until this season, and they’re looking to make the most of it by helping their team hoist the Grey Cup on Sunday.

“Cam understands that everyone in this room has had their opportunity and everybody has had their successful moments at that. So Cam is a consummate professional, being able to become a brother of mine — finally, after all these years of watching him play. Being able to be in the same room with him, it’s an honour for me.”

A lot is made of the Ticats’ passing game — after all, they do have 2019 Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks catching passes and Dane Evans under centre. However, if the Bombers focus too much on the air attack, Hamilton’s backs will make them pay.